The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-04-26
RETALIATION.
A Proclamation of Non-Intercourse
Almost Inevitable.
Complaint of New England's Course
on the Fisheries Question.
Secretary Bayard's Plan of a Com
mittee to Follow Retaliation.

WASHINGTON, April 25.-The following
statement, obtained from gentleman sup
posed to be familiar with the "facts,' is be-
lieved to represent the views of some men,
bers of the administration on the fishery
question: "There are unmistakable indica-
tions that proclama tion of non-intercourse
with Canada on the basis of the Edmunds
bill is regarded by the administration as al
most inevitable In view of the serious in-
ternational complications which must inevi-
tably result from the adoption of this course
complaint is made of the sectional manner
in which the fisheries question has been
handled 1t is charged that that the cham
pions of the New England fishing interests
in congress pursued course .that has been
shifting. contradictory and unwarranted
That they have ignored the nations right of
ownership in the fisheries of Northeast
America and have sought to conine the con-
troversy to the revocation of the article of
the treaty of Washington, which permitted
the entry of Canadian vessels into the ports
of the United States free of duty in return
for privileges accorded American fishermen
of fishing within the three-mile limit in Ca
madam waters and entering those waters for
the purpose of buying bait. The temporary
arrangement entered into by Secretary Bay
ard with Minister West ON the 22d of June,
1885, has been held up as part of plot to be-
tray the fishing interests, when in fact it Sc
cured our fishermen for molestation during
the unexpirei balance of the fishing seasnp-
and prevented complications of possibly
serious character. 1t is claimed that the
chosen representatives of the New England
fishing interests, Hon. Levi Woodbury., Mr..
BabsOn and Mr. Trescott, when before the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the
25th and 9th of January last, distinctly
placed on record the admission that the tenn
porary arrangement had been of good SER
vice. In that agreement it was distinctly
stated that the act of March 8, 1888. repeal
ing the exemption of Canadian fish from GUS
toms duties would remain in full force and
that the only conditions attached by the Uni
ted States was a promise that the President
would recommend the appointment of Joint
commission to consider the adjustment of the
whole fisheries question. Secretary Bayard
is understood to be still of the opinion that
this is not the best mode of arranging clear
understanding of our disputed right under
the treaty Of 1918. But this recommendation
was rejected by the Senate and report was
adopted which failed to assert, except, as it
is claimed, by weak and obscure implica-
ti0n, the right, under solemn treaties of our
fishermen, and substantially gave up the
whole contention as to bait by stating that
the privilege of purchasing it in Canadian
ports was of no value to American fisher
men, and practically declaring that there
was no occasion for American fishing vessels
to visit Canadian ports except of need or dis
tress. In contrast with the declarations of
the Senate report, on which both houses acted
in passing on the n0n-intercourse bill, atten-
tion is called to the fact that in eight enum-
Grated cases in which the government has
been asked to take action in behalf of Amer
lean vessels, and while the Secretary of
State has protested in the most vigorous
terms, there were cases of actual seizure for
having purchased bait, three cases of threat
ened seizure in the event that bait should be
purchased, and the other two were cases of
unfriendly treatment because the Canadians
believed the purchase of bait was the real
reason of the vessels presence in Canadian
waters. Whilst Lord Salisbury's latest pro-
position to extend the provisions of the
Washington Treaty without the indemnity
clause is considered at Gloucester an impu-
dent proposition" because of its carrying
with it the free fish clause, (which was not
included in Secretary Bayard' s temporary ar
rangement, it is denounced in Toronto as an
unworthy surrender of Canadian interests
The conclusion is therefore believed to be
inevitable, that non-intercourse will first
have to be proclaimed, to be followed, as is
anticipated, by joint commission to adjust
the matters in dispute, which was the course
originally recommended"
Government officials privately talk with
much confidence of the probability of nom
intercourse proclamation. Should it be is
sued it will undoubtedly be used as an argu-
Secretary Of State seems to be irrevocably
committed.